THE LOWDOWN ON GUIU

Marc Guiu is the newest arrival on Wearside, the striker arriving from Chelsea on loan for the 25/26 season.

Originally coming through Barcelona’s academy, Guiu moved up to their senior squad in June 2023 and made three appearances, with a debut goal for the first team. He scored after just 23 seconds in October 2023, making him the current youngest and fastest player to score on their debut for Barcelona in La Liga (17-years-old and 291 days).

Since joining Chelsea in 2024, the 19-year-old has made 16 appearances and chipped in with six goals - all of which came in the Blues’ successful UEFA Conference League campaign. He was also a part of the squad that helped them win the FIFA Club World Cup in July, although he only came off the bench for two group stage games.

The striker says: ‘I see myself as a powerful striker, who can make a difference on and off the ball, and I pride myself on being a natural goal scorer’.

The fans of his parent team seem to agree because when they were asked what his best trait as a player is, they said; ‘I know in Sunderland, you guys want people who will work hard for you and give you everything they can, and he will 100% give you that’ and ‘should he get the opportunities and minutes, he’ll definitely get a handful of goals’.

Playing up front, he is competing against top players like Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda who both helped the club massively in earning promotion last season. If Guiu wants to help the Black Cats stay up in the Premier League, he will have to work hard and fight for the position.

Nonetheless, listening to what Chelsea fans have to say about him, it sounds like he will work as hard as possible and do whatever he can to be able to help the team.

He said: ‘I’m feeling great and really looking forward to the season ahead, and I can’t wait to get started’.